A home inspection's price varies depending on the inspector and the size of the house.

In this video, I'll discuss how much you can expect to pay for a home inspection in Omaha.

A whole-home inspection doesn't include radon, sewer line, etc. Those are separate.

I have a few inspectors that I suggest to my clients as a real estate agent, but you can use whoever you are most comfortable with.

My one piece of advice is to make sure that your home inspection is ASHI certified. 

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Mortgage interest rates ticked a bit higher in February, but remain below their February 2020 levels. That is according to February 2021 data released by the Great Plains Regional MLS.

 

The Bottom line:

A new month of data but the same story. Inventory is really low and homes are selling fast. 

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from February 2021:

February 2021 Omaha Area Real Estate Statistics

Average Sold Price: $232,019 (Up 18.9% from February 2020)
Homes Sold: 731 (Down 12.2% from February 2020)
New Listings: 1,059 (Down 25.5% from February 2020)
Pending Listings: 1,051 (Down 6.7% from February 2020)
Days on the Market: 20 Days (Down 33.3% from February 2020)

All data from Great Plains Regional MLS. Report © 2021…

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You must go through the closing process whether you are buying or selling a house.

There are numerous papers to sign, inspections to conduct, and approvals to obtain. How long does the closing process take? 

Check out our video to learn more about the closing process!

Everyone involved in the deal has a role to play during the closing process. If anyone drops the ball, the closing can be postponed. As a consequence, it's critical to understand your duties so there aren't any delays.

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Spring has sprung, or at least it’s about to. And beyond the usual seasonal deep clean, there’s tons homeowners can do to refresh their living spaces this time of year. To learn even more about how to rejuvenate your home with spring decor elements, we’ve tapped two local designers.

 


Photo by Lisa V Lupo, Courtesy of Black Awning

Bryan Frost, interior designer, self-proclaimed vintage hoarder and founder of Black Awning is our first professional expert. He specializes in designing and decorating historic homes in and around Omaha and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Interior Design Program. To update spaces for spring, Bryan prefers to incorporate floral prints and cottons and rattan, which are natural textures that…

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If you are thinking about buying a home in 2021, there are a few things you should be doing right now.

In Omaha, we have a crazy seller's market so it's important to be prepared and have all your ducks in a row before you start touring homes.

In summary...

  1. Get Pre-approved
  2. Save Money
  3. Talk To a Real Estate Agent

 

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Radon gas is a topic that almost always comes up when buying or selling a home.  Most people don’t know much about it, but know that they have to deal with it when they sell their home. 

While dealing with a radon problem is necessary when selling, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General urge all American s to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon even if they aren’t selling.  In honor of the EPA’s “National Radon Action Month” I thought I would give you some of the facts about radon. 

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You can't see, smell or taste radon, but it could present a dangerous level in your home.  Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about…

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Omaha continues to be a seller's market, but there is one small change in the data to pay attention to.

 

If you are a homeowner, you are seeing a lot of appreciation in your home. For 2020, home prices appreciated 8.3%. In 2019, home prices went up 5% compared to 2018. 

One interesting change in the data is the 9.5% increase in new listings compared to December of last year. Omaha has an inventory problem so if more homes hit the market, that's a good thing.

December 2020 Omaha Area Real Estate Statistics

Average Sold Price: $267,219 (Up 8.3% from December 2019)
Homes Sold: 1,191 (Up 13.1% from December 2019)
New Listings: 930 (Up 9.5% from December 2019)
Pending Listings: 842 (Up 17.1% from December 2019)
Days on the Market: 16 Days (Down…

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In the cold of a Midwest winter, it’s easy to hibernate at home. But this year, skip the Netflix and instead, use your downtime in a productive way - by making your house more energy efficient. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also can lower your monthly electricity bill. Saving the planet AND saving money? We call that a win-win. To best tackle a home energy makeover, we spoke to a sustainability engineer about the top tips to lower your energy consumption. Read on for her expert suggestions to make your home more energy efficient!

 

Photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash

  1. Set your thermostat conservatively. In winter, 68 degrees is the recommended temperature, while summertime calls for 74 degrees for maximum savings. Each…

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According to new data released by the Great Plains Regional MLS for November 2020, the Omaha area real estate market is still very strong.

Home values continue to rise while selling quickly (on average in just 15 days).

Inventory is very low so it looks like homes will continue to sell very quickly as prices continue to rise. It remains a seller's market in Omaha.

November 2020 Omaha Area Real Estate Statistics

Average Sold Price: $271,189 (Up 8.4% from November 2019)
Homes Sold: 1,207 (Up 7.8% from November 2019)
New Listings: 1,061 (Down 8.5% from November 2019)
Pending Listings: 958 (Down 0.6% from November 2019)
Days on the Market: 15 Days (Down 31.8% from November 2019)

All data from Great Plains Regional MLS. Report © 2020…

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A handmade wreath tied with ribbon and bells. A festive snowman stationed in your yard. Twinkling lights that adorn your home. All of these can signal that the holiday season has arrived, but only one of these can cause intense frustration year after year. Putting up outdoor lighting is always a chore, but in some years due to weather, it can actually be quite dangerous. For homeowners who’ve considered outsourcing this tedious task, we’ve done the legwork for you! 

 

Courtesy of Brite Ideas 

 

To learn all about outdoor holiday lighting and more, we chatted with Josh Scearcy, the Vice President of Business Development at Brite Ideas Decorating. Brite Ideas is actually a longtime Omaha landmark; the company was founded in Omaha by Travis…

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